The University of Sydney

Orica International Pte Ltd

Meggit (uk) Ltd.

Yara International Asa

Meggitt Ltd.

Brian Scott Haynes

Anthony Matthew Johnston

Gregory Lawrence Conroy

A process for producing ammonium nitrate is disclosed, which process comprises exposing a gaseous oxidizer feed composed at least substantially of ammonia, steam and an oxidizing gas to conditions whereby the ammonia is oxidized to produce a reaction mixture including nitrogen monoxide and water vapor. The reaction mixture is cooled in a heat exchanger whereby the nitrogen monoxide is oxidized, the water vapor is condensed and the products of the nitrogen monoxide oxidation react with and are absorbed by the condensed water to form a nitric acid stream, with substantially all of the nitrogen monoxide in the reaction mixture being converted to nitric acid. The nitric acid stream is reacted with a stream of ammonia to form the ammonium nitrate.

Process for producing ammonium nitrate

A process for producing nitric acid is disclosed in which a gaseous oxidizer feed composed at least substantially of ammonia, steam and an oxidizing gas is exposed to conditions whereby the ammonia is oxidized to produce a reaction mixture including nitrogen monoxide and water vapor. The reaction mixture is then cooled in a heat exchanger whereby: a) the nitrogen monoxide is oxidized and the water vapor is caused to condense, b) the products of the nitrogen monoxide oxidation react with and are absorbed by the condensed water, and c) substantially all of the nitrogen monoxide in the reaction mixture is converted to nitric acid. Also disclosed is a nitric acid solution when produced by the disclosed process.

Process for producing nitric acid

A process for producing ammonium nitrate is disclosed, which process comprises exposing a gaseous oxidiser feed composed at least substantially of ammonia, steam and an oxidising gas to conditions whereby the ammonia is oxidised to produce a reaction mixture including nitrogen monoxide and water vapour. The reaction mixture is cooled in a heat exchanger whereby the nitrogen monoxide is oxidised, the water vapour is condensed and the products of the nitrogen monoxide oxidation react with and are absorbed by the condensed water to form a nitric acid stream, with substantially all of the nitrogen monoxide in the reaction mixture being converted to nitric acid. The nitric acid stream is reacted with a stream of ammonia to form the ammonium nitrate.

A process for producing ammonium nitrate is disclosed and in which: Substantially all of the steam within the oxidizer feed is derived from the ammonium nitrate producing stage, and at least 10% of the ammonia within the oxidizer feed is derived and carried by the steam from the ammonium nitrate producing stage. Also disclosed is ammonium nitrate, in any of its various possible forms, when produced by the disclosed process.

Integrated process for producing ammonium nitrate

A chemical reactor is disclosed and which has a core composed of a stack of metal plates that are diffusion bonded in face-to-face relationship. A plurality of reaction zones are located within the core, as are a plurality of catalyst receiving zones, and both the reaction zones and the catalyst receiving zones are defined by respective aligned apertures in the plates. A first channel arrangement is provided in some of the plates for transporting a first reactant to and between the reaction zones, portions of the first channel arrangement that interconnect the reaction zones being formed over at least a portion of their length as heat exchange channels. A second channel arrangement is provided in others of the plates and is arranged to deliver a second reactant to each of the reaction zones. Also, a third channel arrangement provided in still others of the plates for transporting a third reactant to and between the catalyst receiving zones, portions of the third channel arrangement that interconnect the catalyst receiving zones being formed over at least a portion of their length as heat exchange channels that are positioned in heat exchange proximity to the heat exchange channels of the first channel arrangement. Also disclosed is a fuel processor that incorporates the chemical reactor, the catalyst receiving zones being arranged to function as reformer stages in the fuel processor.

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Frenchs Forest, Australia

Brian Scott Haynes